From the desk of Madness...

Ding!

Wed, 27 May 2009 07:35:56 GMT

<Cue "Still Alive" from Portal here>

Today I gained the achievement of "Been alive for 28 years", although they are all kinda blending into the same at the moment. Not seeing a clear-cut distinction as I used to.

Enjoying being off work for another 2 weeks, I will have been gone from work for a total of 4 weeks by the time I'm back. Hopefully I will have lost the impulse to murder certain individuals I work for by that time, however they will no doubt ensure I regain that feeling in short order.

Things to do while not at work: Get around to finally registering/creating my own website/domain, especially due to my recent re-capture of my Muse. Also looking at ripping up the parents retic in the backyard and doing it proper... Ye gods, me contemplating doing something that is outside of the house *and* internet. All that knowledge that got crammed into me over those two weeks in Bunbury must be corrupting me already.

Halfway through re-watching the new BSG, good that is still kicks arse second-time through.

I live... Again

Sat, 16 May 2009 07:58:49 GMT

Currently enjoying the first break I've had in the training schedule since last Sunday. This arvo and all of tomorrow, and then the final straight Monday-Thursday. Been a rough ride, first few days were a bitch but I've expanded my own knowledge of hydraulics (Which was basic, as sizing up pumps for domestic applications doesn't require much) and irrigation (Which I knew nothing about) and looking forward to hopefully being able to apply it somehow.

And in other news, I spent this afternoon being visited by an angel in disguise - My Muse. I don't know where she has been hiding or what was keeping me from her but for the first time in about a year and a half... I'm writing again. Going back to the "insert whatever re-write it is" (3rd, I think) and polishing it. And by polishing I mean applying a large sledgehammer to entire sections and starting from scratch. But damn, it feels good to be able to do that again.

My "You say Mad Scientist, I say Grumpy Visionary" shirt has been a hit around here too, flaunting my own nerdness is awesome sometimes (That is only one of about 3 "nerd" shirts I have here, another being the Portal one I have on right now)
.

Goodbye, Cruel World...

Fri, 08 May 2009 02:09:05 GMT

I'm leaving you tomorrow... No really, i r going down to (probably goram cold) Bunbury tomorrow for a two week irrigation course that, provided my head doesn't explode from the rather full-on nature of the course, I will return with a lot more knowledge than I went down with.

This is probably a good thing, as this time of year means the pool-side of the company I work for is already slowing down and it seems that industry is also keen on wielding ye olde GEC bugbear as an excuse for everything from not ordering to not paying bills on time.

So having knowledge on the rural-side of the company even more than I already do cannot be a bad thing, as people will still need water to their house etc. long past the point where having a gigantic body of water stagnating in your yard is no longer the done thing. Not to mention rural customers > pool customers anyday.

Funny how the script that's been written for me keeps shoving me down paths I never imagined, nor contemplated. Naturally, the paths also seem to exclude all the stuff I'd like to do. Eh, fuck you too Fate :P

I has books

Tue, 05 May 2009 03:41:47 GMT

Aint done this in a long time, guess that's the lot of an anti-social bastard like me :)

Recently expanded my rather eclectic collection with the following, and debating which to read first:

Atlas Shrugged (The concept intrigues me, as well as the Objectivism thing, but DAMN... the size of this thing makes it a bloody WMD)
The Communist Manifesto (Which is a lot smaller than I thought it would be, for something which has an awful lot of significance placed on it)
The Prince (Again, a lot smaller than expected)

Currently going with either the Manifesto or The Prince, but I also don't want to get lulled by the fact they are a lot smaller than my usual reading material (Mind you, anything I have is looking small next to AS at the moment... I honestly did not expect it to be so much of a Leviathan of a book).

Decided to mix my usual somewhat-more-off-beat reading with some more philosophical stuff to keep on trying to understand that perplexing thing known as the Human Condition.

Everyone's got a hobby, and mine is trying to understand this realm of existence. Sometimes I think I should have stuck with collecting 40k miniatures or something >_>

This is the Voice of Fate...

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:04:35 GMT

AKA I just finished reading (the whole) V for Vendetta graphic novel. I say whole because the Collectors Edition of the movie I got came with a small portion of the novel, but I've never read it all until now.

I must admit, I can understand why Moore is eager to distance himself from adaptations of his work... There is a resemblance of the novel in the movie, but it's really not much of one. Similar overall idea and such, but I definitely need to re-read the novel again before doing a proper comparison in my mind. Was simply so much in the novel compared to the movie (Not that I am too surprised there).

I've just started reading the first volume of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and and am again seeing not much similarity between the novel and its movie counterpart. But I've only just started it, so I wont be passing judgement just yet on that one.

That being said, someone got it right with Watchmen. I've not had a chance to express how OMG awesome the movie was and having also had the chance to read the novel before the movie... It was a very well done adaptation IMO. Even the modified ending worked, as the original would probably have not duplicated over correctly in such a short span as a movie.

Also recently bought & read the "Dark Empire" SW comics where Luke goes all Dark Side, Palpatine comes back (Again... and again...) and it is *totally* more of a comic that a graphic novel (As much as I'm sure some elitist types out there will try and debate there being no difference between the two).

Ventrilo Blues

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 01:22:09 GMT

Anyone out there have any experience with using a vent server, particularly through Typefrag?

I organised a small-user one for me and some of my RPG mates (Who I've recently managed to get hooked on EVE), mainly because the in-built voice in EVE is a cranky bitch that works as often as it doesn't. When it does however it works fantastic, which is more than can be said about other MMO's attempts to have in-built voice support :D

I'm having the small issue of I can connect, see the other mate who was helping me set it up connect, but we cannot hear each other. I've tried creating user profiles to set access rights for each one etc. but no joy. To make things even more confusing, we had voice working just fine in (omg, shoot me for saying this) MSN Messenger Live voice chat...

Comes up as a yellow speaker, which if I've read correctly means doesn't have permission to send/receive. But I've checked every single option I can think of, and no dice.

Am I missing something, or am I needlessly complicating it by having created user profiles?

WAAAAAAAAAGH!

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:18:26 GMT

Currently enjoying the only time off I'm getting this side of April next year (Summer = Hell = No time off till it's gone away).

Been recently sucked back into the WAAAAAAAGH with the recent re-addition of the Dark Elf Black Guard into WAR (They originally cut the class from the initial release). Being somewhat of a fan of the Dark Elf myself, the chance to play a Black Guard was something I jumped at. Who can't love a class which wears heavy armour, tanks like a bitch WITH a polearm as a weapon (Not a "real" tank like this, more like can survive a shitload of damage) and has a game mechanic that represents their undying hatred for anything and everything? :D

Hmm, that's probably some deranged insight into my psyche or something isn't it? >_>

Also very much enjoying the PvP-slant of WAR (Or Realm VS Realm, as they call it). I recently took part in my first keep-taking (i.e You literally siege the keep, break down the door, kill the keep lord - I think the higher-tiered keeps are more involved again) and goddamnnit if it wasn't the most fun I've had in a while. Very epic IMO, screaming along in a warband and storming a keep belonging to those Order scum.

Warhammer Online

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:23:57 GMT

So, other than a small incident involving the client losing my password and it not working after changing it (That's gotta be a major gripe of mine, the whole login thing is a major PITA that could be much nicer IMNSHO)... I'm quite liking it. Sadly-expected release-day annoyances aside.

I like how you pick a server and then side... And then that's it, no making toons for both sides on the one server. Nice touch there. The Public Quest area concept is very cool and a nice way of invoking player interaction. The influence-rewards are a nice way to quickly upgrade gear, as well as the fact that the PQ quests seem to be, so far, nicely done. So far, it does feel like there is a story unravelling as you progress.

So, I initially rolled a Dark Elf Sorceress on Ironclaw. Very nice, quite enjoyed playing her. Then I did something unexpected... I rolled a Witch Hunter on Lucan. And bugger me if there isn't something satisfying about gaining the "Execution: Absolution" move and blasting the minions of Chaos at point-blank range with your pistol. And then I levelled up to "Execution: Burn, Heretic!" and it just gets more fun. Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live! :P

It reminds me a lot of how LotRO was when it arrived, with titles, achievements etc. out-the-box (So to speak). Funny how a certain other MMO that shall not be named is only just deciding such things add to the "hey, neat!" factor. Again, IMNSHO :D

I think I know what I'm doing during the daily 1-hour EVE downtime...

Spore

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 11:26:01 GMT

So, I got a hold of Spore yesterday for some unknown reason. I guess the Devil inside wanted to come out and play a little.

I hammered on through to the Tribal stage as a Carnivore, liking the fact that a Herbi- and Omni- and going to (I believe) offer a different play-style and love the funky evolutions I've been putting my creatures through.

Now, what does one call minions of a Dark and Evil power hell-bent on domination?

Shuggoth's, of course :D

(Now if only I could have tentacles instead of arms.... /sigh)

Scilons? In my TT? More likely than you think!

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:22:29 GMT

TT has slightly redeemed itself in my eyes are being able of doing a good job at a media piece on our good cult friends.

For those who missed it, check YT/Vimeo for it (Trust me, it's out there already ^_^), they did a piece on the cult's employement of under-age children and the lack of education etc. they get as a result. Study Technology & Scientology =/= Education.

And as was so nicely repeated several times, cult was approached to get their side and they declined. Best they did was have their Australian PR "spokesperson" Vicki Dunstan (You Sydney-siders may know her well!) submitting a statement VIA A PROXY. And it was the usual "Person X was known issues and shouldn't be listened to" and "zomg, they get home-schooled of course you lying bastards!!!". Probably not helped by a mere-months old ex-member doing the dirt-dishing.

Apparently tonight has a follow-up interview of some kind, looking forward to see who it is.

Nice to see things that are being worked on finally coming to fruition :)

Bible Knowledge meme

Sat, 03 May 2008 11:22:09 GMT

For someone who has this book on his "need to read one day" list, I think I did alright.

You know the Bible 66%!

Congratulations! You know a lot about the Bible - the books, the characters, the events. You are able to remember a lot of what you have heard and read!

Ultimate Bible Quiz
Create MySpace Quizzes

That Tarot meme...

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:14:08 GMT

Hmm, this actually kinda works....

You are The Hermit

Prudence, Caution, Deliberation.

The Hermit points to all things hidden, such as knowledge and inspiration,hidden enemies. The illumination is from within, and retirement from participation in current events.

The Hermit is a card of introspection, analysis and, well, virginity. You do not desire to socialize; the card indicates, instead, a desire for peace and solitude. You prefer to take the time to think, organize, ruminate, take stock. There may be feelings of frustration and discontent but these feelings eventually lead to enlightenment, illumination, clarity.

The Hermit represents a wise, inspirational person, friend, teacher, therapist. This a person who can shine a light on things that were previously mysterious and confusing.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Enquiring minds want to know...

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 05:08:07 GMT

What do you think the film/tv industry needs more, from the point-of-view of new material?

1. Fantasy Series/Mini-Series
2. Fantasy Movie (Epic or otherwise)
3. Sci-Fi Series/Mini-Series

I personally, as much as I love the genre, do not believe we need *another* attempt at SF of some kind. We seem to be getting either SF or (*shudder*) comic-book remakes at the moment, and the Fantasy genre seems to be somewhat lessened at the moment.

Just curious as to what others think, for various reasons :)

Especially relevant as my own writings seem to be taking more and more a Fantasy inclination, despite my aforementioned love of good SF.

Yes, I'm writing again. Many thanks to each and all who aided in that, I am once-more indebted to those I know. Going to be expensive come the day I strike it big ;)

State of the Nation (Or at least my small section of it)

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:55:47 GMT

Long Weekend, where for art thou gone? :(

Didn't get as much written as I'd have liked; but also fair to say I at least wrote something so that counts... Right?!

Still working on a little side-project I have, seperate to the main novel-in-progress, and also starting tinkering with this concept of machinima. Shortly afterwards proceeding to commit Hari-Kari over the realisation of exactly what's involved. I've always had a penchant for level-design (Been toying with map-making since the says of Wolf3D - And boy, has it changed a lot since the days of 64x64 blocks!) so the sight of a level designed involving a camera, XY, XZ and YZ views didn't phase me too much.

FacePoser though... Mein Gotte, gunna need me a lot of port for that baby (Yeah, the conflict between Unreal and Source engines won out on the side of Source after finally getting around to playing HL2 Ep1 and 2. Zomg hurry up with Ep3!!! /tear Oh, and Portal. Nuff said. If you aint played it, DO SO! That shit totally spun me out after realising exactly how far 3D engines have come).

Was also a productive weekend in that I (Hopefully. I say this because I am inherintly cynical even when I don't need to be in hindsight) helped strengthen a friendship that already existed, but had suffered a while back due to some... Well... stupid shit, really. Without wanting to sound too cliche, I've changed somewhat since then (And not simply from an online persona POV) and really regret the way some things pan out. Really could have handled some things a lot better. That can actually be relevant to a few people, although I have sadly only had the chance to say it to one, and I hope I can be forgiven for past events.

And I actually got around to ringing someone I had been saying I would for a while. Well, one of the two >_> Hang tight Lollster, your turn is coming! Honest! :)

In the Shadow of the Moon

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:06:51 GMT

I've just come back from an impromptu decision on my Dad's part to go see this documentary tonight as opposed to possibly tomorrow. Luna Cinema in Leederville are showing it, not sure if anywhere else is.

It's basically the journey to the moon and back, as told by those surviving members; baring Neil Armstrong, who I've been told is something of a recluse these days. A pity, but I can see why - You go off and make the most earth-shattering history possible (Even today, to me, the concept of getting off this rock boggles the mind sometimes) and all people seem to is dream up theories on how it was faked.

But, the anecdotes and visuals both shown and described by these people was amazing. My Dad's something of a knower-of-all-things-Apollo (The Space Program is his "pet" subject; you know, the one we can go on and on and on and on about but with accurate information) but my own knowledge of it was limited, and it was quite an eye-opener in some things to see the amazing events that space flight really is.

Highly recommend it for anyone who's interests even hint in that direction. Was a nice and well-assembled doco.

In Memorium: Arthur C. Clarke

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 22:51:25 GMT

It was with great sadness that I got to work this morning to read that Clarke had passed away at age 90 overnight.

I have many fond memories of reading his works, especially 2001 and the like, and he is going to be missed.

I think I shall have a drink in his honour tonight, but life goes on. Bit of a sad note to start my day on, though :(

Help, of sorts.

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 04:30:35 GMT

As I've said in the past, I'm not beyond asking for assistance when I need it. And in this case, I definitely need it.

This one is no doubt going to make some people; especially those on my flist; giggle at the almost ludicrous nature of the first part of this problem.

I has a problem. It is called the World of Warcraft (Insert giggles here). The problem is not me being over it and barely hanging on for WotLK (Which I am, for the most part), it is from being over it *and still playing the damn thing almost every second I have spare*.

I'm tired of going nowhere with my writing, knowing full well I can from the responses I get from people, and have a few side-projects underway which are going to take both a lot of time and work to get done. As well as learning how to manipulate the Source engine to do the crazy-arse idea I have (I'll let the sekrit slip a little - Machima).

But I seem to have this kind of writers block combined with WoW-addiction that is getting in the way of things. It's not that I don't know what to write, I do... I have a very large encompassing multiverse in my head waiting to come out... It just aint coming. And whenever I try, I somehow end up grinding away at WoW somehow.

I moved my main from AF to Cael with the intention of starting anew, and just raiding the 3 nights a week my new guild raids on. But it seems I am slipping back into my old ways, despite really being over even raiding some days.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who have encountered similar problems before. I'd appreciate any advice given as I for one as tired of wasting potential time. Consider this my admitting I have a problem stage ;)

The scene is set...

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 01:54:47 GMT

In the beginning, the universe was.

Not existing in any known state or flux, it simply was. Fair to say not even the Gods themselves know the origins of the universe they dwell in. The closest anyone has come to knowing is that in an incalculable moment a decision was made by something and that Life as we will eventually know it sprang into existence. Time started, dust compressed into stars and planets, and a multitude of primordial melting pots were set into motion.

But for all decisions made, there are potential outcomes. What if something else was born from this decision, a potential "what if" that existed in a splinter universe? The very anti-thesis of Life, the natural by-product of a decision of epic proportions.

Countless aeons have past since this event, and the barriers between the multiverses and its infinite decisions has been weakened by numerous species weaving and distorting the fabric of Life itself.

And this UnLife has become aware of places beyond its own, reaching through these weak-spots to influence the minds of other sentient life. Slowly they gained believers and eventually found a means to come through from their own universe. But they were beaten back by those who had sensed their coming and understood what they faced.

The Darkness was beaten, but not defeated. The knowledge was passed down as stories and legends, with the intent that the future generations would remember the tales of old and be prepared for when the Darkness once more decided to leave its own demesne.

But, we forgot. Stories and legends became children's fables and the intent of old was gone. Aeon's passed and the Darkness was never seen directly, and the growing decadence of Life itself was simply viewed as part of its evolutionary process; never did we think that there was a more malicious intent behind it.

We forgot, and now they come again.

On Randomity...

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 09:43:08 GMT

As may or may not have been noticed about my last post, it was in a form I had previously never even imagined writing in; or even contemplating, to be perfectly honest.

It came from a 2-5 second flash of images in my head, a scene from my universe that is either still to be played or perhaps has already just passed. From a story-telling mechanism point-of-view, it would work as either past or future.

The odd thing was that instead of it playing out the usual way my mind processes the nuances of my creation, it was turned into pretty much what I wrote down. Voice-over's for example... Something I have never even thought of using; not even as a monologue, it's just not been my style of writing.

And I end up with something that is almost like a teaser for a TV show or movie. Which strikes me as an extremely unexpected turn of events for my mind to travel. Seeing as though I have always imagined myself as being against the concept of other's taking my work and butchering it like so many other modern-day "adaptations" have proven. Or perhaps that thought helped kick this out. Interesting.

At the moment I am currently working on fleshing out that one image, and seeing where this thought takes me. I currently have 3 short stories finished (Huzzah! I can finally say I have completed something!) and one of them fairly-well polished. Working on the other two at the moment and expect them to be polished a bit more fairly shortly.

So I guess while I research and plumb the depths of potential publishing sources for these shorts, I will think over this unexpected manifestation of my muse. Perhaps even see about applying my modest game-modificaton abilities and putting together a make-shift machima of some kind.

Now that is an interesting thought indeed. And damn those Chinese and their age-old curse about such times.

Random Images...

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 03:27:23 GMT

OPENING SHOT
Twilight on a burning city surrounded by desert. Buildings lay in ruin, either burning or nothing more than scattered mortar. Sound of distant fighting drifts across the desert.

CLOSER EXT. - MOSTLY UNNAMED CITY
Figures are seen running from building to building, flashes of light pouring from their hands towards an unseen opponent.

KATHNEL'KAR (V/O)
Some things are never meant to be forgotten. Memory exists not just to honour the past but to protect the future as well.

Obisidian beams flash from an unknown source and hit the visible figures, reducing them to ash each time. Within seconds they are gone and the desert wind scatters the ashes amongst the city streets.

EXT - VARIOUS STREET SHOTS, ALL RUINED

KATHNEL'KAR (V/O)
The Darkness had been defeated, or so they had claimed. It had taken its pound of flesh and retreated back to whence it came. But such is not the way these things work.

An ear-piercing roar is heard, and a nearby building is brought crashing down. The foot of an unknown creature crashes down on it, a taloned monstrosity which seems to writhe in pain just by being there.

PAN UP, ZOOM SHOT OF CREATURES TORSO
Skin comprising of what seems to be faces of many different creatures writhing in agony. It roars again, and something unseen flits across the view.

PAN BACK, CENTRE ON HORIZON (CREATURE OFF TO THE SIDE)
It looks around as if seeking something, before spying a light on the horizon. A bellow of triumph, and it points in that direction. A mass of shadowy creatures is seen streaming from the ruins.

KATHNEL'KAR (V/O)
The Darkness was never truly defeated. And just because you have become complacent and forgotten about it, rest assured - The Darkness has not forgotten you. Some things should never be forgotten, for to do so is to lose all hope of survival.

Bladerunner: The Final Cut

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 12:49:39 GMT

Well, was out doing my usual "Hooray its payday" small shopping for myself and I decided to finally get around to getting the "new" version of Bladerunner. Rehashing your old works seems to be the way most people are going these days. Lucas started it, and people are following suit. That being said, I don't recall hearing a big stink when Bladerunner was done for what is this now, the 4th cut? How odd, given that at the end of the day both people involved were excercising their own creatives right to present their works in the best way they deemed possible. And no, I'm not talking petty stuff like "Han shot first" or changing Boba Fetts voice (One of the few things that was changed that did irk me). I personally loved getting to see more shots of places like Mos Eisley and Coruscant, it helped flesh it out in my own imagining.

But that aside, omg.

Sadly, it had been a while since I'd last watched BR. But damn, I definitely had no trouble quickly remembering what a total and utter masterpiece that movie is. Cinematography, soundtrack, acting, the whole nine yards - All absolutely amazing.

When the time comes and my works get published, and I inevitably cave in to the money-grubbing capitalists who will want to cash in on a movie version... Men of Ridley Scott's calibre or y'all can go home! :D

A true wonder to watch. I didn't spot too much different (It was there, but blended in nicely; some bits I had to stop and mentally compare to pick), but it was still a riveting piece of art.

An introduction... And things to come

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:49:54 GMT

Nearly ten years ago, I had the small but fertile seed of an idea get planted in my head. It has grown and changed much of the years, but in the last few months it truly started to take root. The book/series never had a definite name or overall arc (It did in a very broad definition of overall) and I certainly had no idea where the first book even finished. I just knew how it was going to kick off.

Not anymore. It has a working title; Herald of Darkness; as well as a potential title for the book itself for that time when it ceases being a stand-alone entity and merely the first of many in the series. This was a major solidification for myself and something I'd never felt certain of until then.

Some of you know me, especially those who I just re-added after the deletion of my old LJ account. Some might not so readily believe this, but people can change a lot over a short amount of time. I'd like to think I've done just that, and not in a bad way. I realise I've had my fair share of arguments and disagreements with recently, but that is like a past chapter - It's done and dusted, it cannot be changed by some mystical temporal editor... Hmm, the idea has potential though! ;)

So to those who knew me, I request you presence once more. And to those who are only just discovering this crazy and insane place my imagination is setting forth, welcome!

With any luck I shall have a simple but functional website up within the month which will have some excerpts of the current (And future) works as well as other such relevant information.